Change and Crisis: Inspiring Stories of Global Brands

Hermès, Samsung, Toyota, Lamborghini, IKEA, Nokia are global giants known and heard of in the remotest corners of the world. But did you know that all of them have gone through a serious crisis and could actually be closed? In this article, we’re going to share 10 stories about global brands, life-changing decisions, and worldwide recognition that are sure to amaze and inspire you.

10 Global Brands and Their Success Stories

From a crisis, a change larger than life can develop, a company can become a global leader. Here are some stories about well-known brands that might motivate you to make changes and help you get through these tough times.

1. Hermès: from harness to luxury

Usually, when we think of Hermès, we think of luxury handbags and accessories. The company actually got its start back in 1837 as a manufacturer of horse harnesses, including things such as saddles. Although the rise of road transportation reduced demand for these products, it nearly killed the company.

Hermès instead went out of business and shifted its focus to leather bags and accessories. What that didn’t do was make it go under; it kept the company afloat and turned the world on its head as the definitive symbol of elegance, luxury, and style.

2. Nokia: from rubber boots to mobile phones

Nokia is for the most durable and reliable cell phones. Surprise, only this company that began by manufacturing rubber boots and toilet paper. But in the 1990s, when the tech market took off, Nokia made a bold move: shifting into the telecommunications area. This was a massive decision that worked. Nokia took its 360-degree approach to the success it enjoyed in mobile technology as a pioneer and reliable innovator.

3. Samsung: from food to electronics

Although it’s now one of the major players in the tech industry, Samsung began as a food and textile manufacturer. In the 1990s, the company was shocked by a tough crisis, which compelled it to rethink its strategy and make the unexpected change. Finally, electronics was where they saw a niche, and now the successful entity to date is Samsung, a top brand in the world, offering excellent electronics gadgets such as smartphones, TVs, and semiconductors.

4. Toyota: from looms to automotive giant

Can you believe Toyota started as a loom manufacturer? It's hard to imagine, isn't it? But that's what they did. In the 1930s, Kiichiro Toyoda decided the future was in cars, so the company made a bold move and shifted to car production. That decision was crucial because today Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world.

5. Lego: from wooden toys to a common name

Lego got its start making wooden toys, including the famous duck on wheels. Unfortunately, the war and the crisis didn't help the brand's growth. So, the company decided to focus on making plastic bricks, and that's when it really found success. Today, Lego is one of the largest toy brands in the world and almost a common name for children's construction sets. 

6. Lamborghini: from tractors to sports cars

Lamborghini, known for its luxury sports cars, started its business as a tractor manufacturer. But it was not the crisis but disappointment that became the catalyst for life-changing transformations. Thus, the founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, decided to create his own car brand after being disappointed with Ferrari products. And this decision changed the course of history (no exaggeration). Today, Lamborghini is an icon in the world of luxury supercars with incredible design and capacity.

7. IKEA: from small stuff and stationery to a furniture giant

IKEA got its start selling small items like pens and photo frames. Over time, they saw the potential in furniture and shifted their focus to pieces that were easy to put together at home. Their affordable, functional, and stylish designs made them a hit, and they quickly became a global leader in the furniture market.

8. Western Union: from telegraph services to money transfers

Western Union started in 1851 as a telegraph company that provided communication services. However, with the decline of the telegraph industry, the company faced a choice: to close or... to look for new areas of development. They didn't want to close, so Western Union refocused on money transfers. This shift allowed Western Union not only to survive but also to become a global leader in financial services, providing fast and reliable international transactions.

9. Philips: from light bulbs to advanced medical technology

Philips is a company that started as a manufacturer of light bulbs, but competition forced them to expand into electronics, which gave them a boost. But over time, competition got tougher, and profits dropped. So, in the 2010s, Philips focused on medical devices and healthcare solutions, which allowed them to become one of the leaders in the medical technology industry by focusing on innovation and quality service.

10. Amazon: from an online bookstore to a global giant

Amazon began as a small online bookstore founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994. But they quickly realized there was more to e-commerce than books. Over time, Amazon began offering everything from electronics to food, as well as developing other areas such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. This made Amazon the world's largest online retailer.

The main thing is not to give up

These stories show that a crisis isn't the end, but a chance to rethink your business and find new ways to succeed. Today's difficulties can be the start of a new story for your company, just like they were for these big brands. It's important to be ready for change, to be flexible, and to look for new opportunities where others see only obstacles. Yes, sometimes the best innovations are born in the most challenging times. So, after such inspiring success stories, maybe it’s high time to check UX/UI trends for creating a customer-oriented website.